OK...last car to look at Mazda 3
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Test drove one before purchasing a Scion for my daughter. She wanted the Scion, but I was really impressed with the Mazda 3. I've owned a couple of Mazda's in the past and both were very reliable cars.
I've got both my kids brainwashed on Toyota quality.
I've got both my kids brainwashed on Toyota quality.
loeky
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i think someone else just asked about this as well?
in any case, it's a fun car with a lot of zip. seems well constructed and is a low priced sports car in feeling. doesn't have the underpowered nature that the matrix seems to have.
can't speak to long term quality as they haven't been around that long. do a search on forums for reviews.
in any case, it's a fun car with a lot of zip. seems well constructed and is a low priced sports car in feeling. doesn't have the underpowered nature that the matrix seems to have.
can't speak to long term quality as they haven't been around that long. do a search on forums for reviews.
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i've brainwashed myself...working on the inlaws...wife wants a cruiser after she gets a DDBrentbba said:I've got both my kids brainwashed on Toyota quality.
Back to top.....
Now we're thinking about buying a Mazda 3 for my wife to run around town in. The objective is to reduce fuel costs & keep the miles off the 80 series (I need the 80 to grow old with me).
The Mazda 3 sure is a nice looking small car both inside and out. We haven't gotten around to driving one yet but I hear good things from others that have.
We tend to keep our cars for 15 years or more so I'm a little worried about the Mazda holding up compared to a Toyota Matrix.
Any additional thoughts on real long term reliability?
My kids also hate the looks of the Matrix but they aren't buying it......
Now we're thinking about buying a Mazda 3 for my wife to run around town in. The objective is to reduce fuel costs & keep the miles off the 80 series (I need the 80 to grow old with me).
The Mazda 3 sure is a nice looking small car both inside and out. We haven't gotten around to driving one yet but I hear good things from others that have.
We tend to keep our cars for 15 years or more so I'm a little worried about the Mazda holding up compared to a Toyota Matrix.
Any additional thoughts on real long term reliability?
My kids also hate the looks of the Matrix but they aren't buying it......
I don't know about the Mazda 3, but I've owned a 1993 Mazda MX3 for 5 or 6 years and it's been through hell and back and it runs like it's new. It has almost 170,000 miles on it and I put on 60K of those. I had to put in a new radiator, alternator, 1 CV shaft a couple of years ago and I need to replace the other one now. I don't see it dying anytime soon.
Thanks 74FJ....
That sounds pretty good. One data point is my Camry with 226,000 miles on it still has it's orginal:
raditator
alternator
clutch (5speed & V6)
Only thing I've had to do were:
brakes
starter contacts
CV joints
water pump
oh and the head gasket failed
All my Toyotas have been so solid I'm afraid to switch. One the other hand just a rad and alternater isn't really all that much $$
That sounds pretty good. One data point is my Camry with 226,000 miles on it still has it's orginal:
raditator
alternator
clutch (5speed & V6)
Only thing I've had to do were:
brakes
starter contacts
CV joints
water pump
oh and the head gasket failed
All my Toyotas have been so solid I'm afraid to switch. One the other hand just a rad and alternater isn't really all that much $$
We just bought one, a 5 door, whitewater pearl in color, with a 5 speed.
like you, we were also considering the matrix, and we damn near bought it... Damn near meaning we were about to sign the dotted line before we decided we should look around a bit more. One of the other cars we looked at was the Mazda 3. Never looked back at the Matrix.
It's a blast to drive. It handles like it is on rails. The ride is a bit harsh, relatively speaking, and with the 5 door, the road noise is a bit loud. For me, those things aren't a major concern; I would rather hear road noise, and feel a bit more of what the car is doing and road contact, then feel isolated from the road like i was on a waterbed. I think that's a preference thing. If you can accept the more "sports car" like feel of the ride, you'll do just fine.
But with the 5 speed it's quick, and the transmission shifts as smooth as silk. It is a very close ratio transmission, like you'd find on a sports car, so when you shift, the engine drops right into mid rpms, right where the power and torque are. this means you go zoom-zoom, but also means you shift a lot sooner. But, the throw on the shifter is miniscule, and there is absolutely NO vagueness in the shifter. Unlike the Matrix, which when I test drove it, I could never quite tell if the transmission was in the right gear or not. With the Mazda, you are completely reassured that the car is in the gear you think it is in. Very solid shifter, not the rubbery vague shifter associated with many cars in the price point. Clutch is abso-fricking-lutely perfect.
the features are good. The interieor materials are a little cheaper feeling, and the doors much lighter than on the Volvo or even the Volkswagen. I would opt for the upgraded Bose stereo system: the stock stereo leaves a little bit to be desired. It's clearly not meant for the kind of music I like, which is NOT hip hop. The stuff I listen to requires more treble and less bass. I don't know for certain, but the stock stereo might be better with some aftermarket speakers.
No problems to report so far. Of course we've had it only 1600 miles. engine is very quiet at idle, but gives a nice reassuring growl when you put your foot on the skinny pedal. So far, we have yet to attain the advertised mileage. I've been averaging about 27 mpg on the highway: of course that figure has to be tempered by the fact that nobody actually drives 55 mph like the mileage figures are calculated.
I also had concerns about long term. I also like to drive cars 15 or more years. This is why I have stuck with Toyota and Volvo all these years. But, I do know several people who own Mazdas, and they have no major issues to report. One friend drove one 285,000 miles before the engine began to show signs of weakness. So I am giving them a chance. At worst, all I need it to do anyway is last 5 years, since that is when we are planning on moving back to Europe. The thing I like about the 3 as opposed to it's big brother the 6, is that the 3 is made fully in Japan of japanese parts, unlike the 6 which is assembled in the USA and probably has a lot more FoMoCo parts. (So far, the only thing I've found on the 3 that says "Ford" is the oil dipstick. Everything else is Denso or other well known Japanese suppliers.
We had wanted a Volvo V50, but since we were paying cash and did not want to go into debt, the Mazda 3 (which is built on the same platform) was a great performer for the amount of cash we had set aside. The Volvo V50 with a T5 and AWD blows the Mazda 3 away in every category: the Mazda doesn't even have a sporting chance. But, The Volvo costs twice as much.... Still, the Mazda 3 is a hell of a lot of car for the money, and it blows the matrix out of the water in the "fun" and looks category.
Let me know of you have any more questions,
Fred
P.S: These cars are not being discounted at all. We were lucky to get a $500 "repeat customer bonus"discount since the local Mazda place is also the local VW place, so we are repeat customers. (but that's just a promotion this particular dealer has, it's not a Mazda program) So, I would expect to pay sticker. The used vehicles are also holding value as well. We had not originally planned on buying new, but when we looked at several used Mazda 3s, we found them to be only $500 to $1000 less than brand new. So, a used car with 25,000 miles and unknown owner and maintenance, or brand new 2006 with 13 miles on the clock for $700 more... Seemed like a no-brainer to me.
P.S.S.: You should also expect to wait. The reason they're not discounting them is because they are selling very well. My wife had to have the Whitewater Pearl Color, and I insisted on the 5-Speed. We again lucked out in that a car that met both criteria was located in the Chicago area (only 1 hour from here) and was dealer traded. We only had to wait a few days. Others at the Mazda3 forum have reported waiting weeks or months till the car was found in the right color/options.
like you, we were also considering the matrix, and we damn near bought it... Damn near meaning we were about to sign the dotted line before we decided we should look around a bit more. One of the other cars we looked at was the Mazda 3. Never looked back at the Matrix.
It's a blast to drive. It handles like it is on rails. The ride is a bit harsh, relatively speaking, and with the 5 door, the road noise is a bit loud. For me, those things aren't a major concern; I would rather hear road noise, and feel a bit more of what the car is doing and road contact, then feel isolated from the road like i was on a waterbed. I think that's a preference thing. If you can accept the more "sports car" like feel of the ride, you'll do just fine.
But with the 5 speed it's quick, and the transmission shifts as smooth as silk. It is a very close ratio transmission, like you'd find on a sports car, so when you shift, the engine drops right into mid rpms, right where the power and torque are. this means you go zoom-zoom, but also means you shift a lot sooner. But, the throw on the shifter is miniscule, and there is absolutely NO vagueness in the shifter. Unlike the Matrix, which when I test drove it, I could never quite tell if the transmission was in the right gear or not. With the Mazda, you are completely reassured that the car is in the gear you think it is in. Very solid shifter, not the rubbery vague shifter associated with many cars in the price point. Clutch is abso-fricking-lutely perfect.
the features are good. The interieor materials are a little cheaper feeling, and the doors much lighter than on the Volvo or even the Volkswagen. I would opt for the upgraded Bose stereo system: the stock stereo leaves a little bit to be desired. It's clearly not meant for the kind of music I like, which is NOT hip hop. The stuff I listen to requires more treble and less bass. I don't know for certain, but the stock stereo might be better with some aftermarket speakers.
No problems to report so far. Of course we've had it only 1600 miles. engine is very quiet at idle, but gives a nice reassuring growl when you put your foot on the skinny pedal. So far, we have yet to attain the advertised mileage. I've been averaging about 27 mpg on the highway: of course that figure has to be tempered by the fact that nobody actually drives 55 mph like the mileage figures are calculated.
I also had concerns about long term. I also like to drive cars 15 or more years. This is why I have stuck with Toyota and Volvo all these years. But, I do know several people who own Mazdas, and they have no major issues to report. One friend drove one 285,000 miles before the engine began to show signs of weakness. So I am giving them a chance. At worst, all I need it to do anyway is last 5 years, since that is when we are planning on moving back to Europe. The thing I like about the 3 as opposed to it's big brother the 6, is that the 3 is made fully in Japan of japanese parts, unlike the 6 which is assembled in the USA and probably has a lot more FoMoCo parts. (So far, the only thing I've found on the 3 that says "Ford" is the oil dipstick. Everything else is Denso or other well known Japanese suppliers.
We had wanted a Volvo V50, but since we were paying cash and did not want to go into debt, the Mazda 3 (which is built on the same platform) was a great performer for the amount of cash we had set aside. The Volvo V50 with a T5 and AWD blows the Mazda 3 away in every category: the Mazda doesn't even have a sporting chance. But, The Volvo costs twice as much.... Still, the Mazda 3 is a hell of a lot of car for the money, and it blows the matrix out of the water in the "fun" and looks category.
Let me know of you have any more questions,
Fred
P.S: These cars are not being discounted at all. We were lucky to get a $500 "repeat customer bonus"discount since the local Mazda place is also the local VW place, so we are repeat customers. (but that's just a promotion this particular dealer has, it's not a Mazda program) So, I would expect to pay sticker. The used vehicles are also holding value as well. We had not originally planned on buying new, but when we looked at several used Mazda 3s, we found them to be only $500 to $1000 less than brand new. So, a used car with 25,000 miles and unknown owner and maintenance, or brand new 2006 with 13 miles on the clock for $700 more... Seemed like a no-brainer to me.
P.S.S.: You should also expect to wait. The reason they're not discounting them is because they are selling very well. My wife had to have the Whitewater Pearl Color, and I insisted on the 5-Speed. We again lucked out in that a car that met both criteria was located in the Chicago area (only 1 hour from here) and was dealer traded. We only had to wait a few days. Others at the Mazda3 forum have reported waiting weeks or months till the car was found in the right color/options.
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sisukid1975 said:
Thanks Fred, very good write-up. That's the kind of info I was looking for.
I was wondering about the discounting ( or lack of) that might be going on. We walked the back lot and man they have a ton of them at the dealer here in Canada. Although when you start to narrow down on model, tranny and color, there's only one or 2.
Riley
Riley said:
Maybe they're not selling as well there as they are here? We visited half a dozen (maybe more) Mazda places between Madison and Chicago and Milwaukee (including some of the 10 or 15 acre "superlots" in the Chicago area), and none of the lots had more than 2 or 3 of the cars at any given time. Some had none. We finally went to the local place up the street (a little small town dealership that sells VW and Mazda and usually only has about 20-30 new cars on the lot at any given time) and told them what we had settled on, and asked them to find it for us.
Perhaps it's a cultural thing, also? I know that here, everyone talks about driving American cars cause we're such a big UAW and other Union area. I know from visiting the west coast, that the only time you see a Malibu is when it's a rental car.
So, the "shortage" I describe may only be a local thing. After all, you're that much closer to Japan.
Fred
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semlin
curmudgeon
hmm, riley, we're going throught the same thing..
the wife has gone right off the FJ as too big and impossible to park in around town situations. I have some sympathy for that - we tried again today and I completely lost sight of an entire car behind me while backing out of the lot
it is not designed for granville island.
also, since we realized we could put a kid in the front seat now in a pinch with the airbag activation thing we are looking a lot smaller. so we looked at the matrix today and also the new honda fit. believe it or not we are down to the fit or the fj now the matrix is a slightly better ride but only slightly and the price difference is huge, over C$5000 between a 5 speed matrix with what we want (AC, ABS and power windows) and the Fit with same or better (fit has better stereo and side impact curtains).
fit is physically smaller than the matrix but the interior space behind the front seats is very close because they have relocated the gas tank under front seats. front and rear leg room is very comparable to the matrix and the fit actually has notably more cargo room with rear seats up. It also has some very cool features in terms of seat folding options that i've never seen on another car and they are useful. the matrix handled better and was slightly peppier comparing automatics in a test drive, but only slightly (126hp vs. 109hp but the fit is 250 lbs lighter). biggest con with the fit is it is very low to the ground. hard to overstate how near the rear floorpan seems to be to the asphalt.
The base Fit with what we need option wise is even cheaper south of the border so we might consider importing.
the new mazda 3 does look nice but it is another world car cooperation between ford, mazda and volvo and so it shares a bunch with the euro ford focus and a volvo. that info pretty much ended my interest there. i've no doubt it is nice ride but so is a ford for a year or two and the euro philosophy on small cars is stritcly disposable so I would be amazed if it outlasted a honda or toyota.
the wife has gone right off the FJ as too big and impossible to park in around town situations. I have some sympathy for that - we tried again today and I completely lost sight of an entire car behind me while backing out of the lot
it is not designed for granville island. also, since we realized we could put a kid in the front seat now in a pinch with the airbag activation thing we are looking a lot smaller. so we looked at the matrix today and also the new honda fit. believe it or not we are down to the fit or the fj now
the matrix is a slightly better ride but only slightly and the price difference is huge, over C$5000 between a 5 speed matrix with what we want (AC, ABS and power windows) and the Fit with same or better (fit has better stereo and side impact curtains).fit is physically smaller than the matrix but the interior space behind the front seats is very close because they have relocated the gas tank under front seats. front and rear leg room is very comparable to the matrix and the fit actually has notably more cargo room with rear seats up. It also has some very cool features in terms of seat folding options that i've never seen on another car and they are useful. the matrix handled better and was slightly peppier comparing automatics in a test drive, but only slightly (126hp vs. 109hp but the fit is 250 lbs lighter). biggest con with the fit is it is very low to the ground. hard to overstate how near the rear floorpan seems to be to the asphalt.
The base Fit with what we need option wise is even cheaper south of the border so we might consider importing.
the new mazda 3 does look nice but it is another world car cooperation between ford, mazda and volvo and so it shares a bunch with the euro ford focus and a volvo. that info pretty much ended my interest there. i've no doubt it is nice ride but so is a ford for a year or two and the euro philosophy on small cars is stritcly disposable so I would be amazed if it outlasted a honda or toyota.
Hi Simon - too bad about the FJ. I was expecting an offroading trip with you to check it out. 
Honda Fit? Never heard of it. I guess it need to do a little more surfing....
Honda Fit? Never heard of it. I guess it need to do a little more surfing....
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